The Segway employees, however, did not bring helmets and Ezzo, at the suggestion of Special Olympic volunteers, rode the Segway through the obstacle course blindfolded. While riding blindfolded, Ezzo fell backwards and hit his head on the floor resulting in a traumatic brain injury.

As a result of the brain injury, Plaintiff’s counsel argued that Ezzo dropped out of college. He became a handyman, unable to pursue his dream of becoming a police officer.

The jury forewoman cited the manufacturer’s failure to follow its own safety requirements, which specified that its employees wear helmets while operating the equipment.
The $10 million that the jury awarded the Plaintiff was for non-economic damages as well as his permanent impairment.

Ironically, the owner of Segway, Inc., the manufacturer of the Segway HT also died after falling off of a cliff while operating a Segway. Jimi Heselden died in September 2010 after falling 80 feet.